Today's Tids Issue 3,013
Opening Stuff:

A new poll from yesterday says that 74% of Americans believe we are still in a recession. Another story this morning says that manufacturing in America is humming to the point where companies are finally adding capacity -- with automated systems and no significant additional employees. So, the country's leadership says it is good times again because statistics like lowering employment and increasing productivity imply they are, and because people on top making the pronouncements are doing well again themselves. The big statistic, however, is the decline in average wages and increase in cost of basic living necessities, a squeeze that does not show in lower unemployment numbers. The US may through automation regain the innate economic leverage afforded by a manufacturing, but never the higher pay, direct manufacturing jobs. Basically, people are seeing what was once a way of life in the former comfortable USA slipping away as globalism rises. It's one of those inevitable, things.

The NFL, though, thinks the economy is great. Why not, they are not for profit (No taxes) and People are spending big bucks to go to games, while the TV networks are overflowing with cash to buy the product. In the most recent filing of Form 990 for "Non-Profits" it was shown the league had $255 Million in Revenue and $822+ Mil in assets. In order to achieve Non-Profit status the league must be run as a charitable foundation. They gave away 2.3 mill of which 2.1 went to The Football Hall of Fame. And Roger Goodell, the man who gives us a Championship in freezing weather, was the biggest charity of all, receiving $29+ Mil. There's something very weird abuout some big businesses masquerading as Non-Profits, where true NP's struggle every day to find an extra dollar to keep moving forward the benefit of others and the community.

In case you missed it, the new Nickname for Colorado is "Altered State".

The Question:
What are ten things that in 2014 you should consider not buying any more?

The Headlines:
--Zero and Below Zero Temps Still Big Story Across US.
--Negative China Data Has Markets Significantly Down; Netflix Big Star Of The Day
--Target Dumps Employees Into ObamaCare; Could Be Latest Sign Of Changing Healthcare Landscape; Aetna Says It Will be tough Swimming In New Pool.
--53% Of Americans Say Economic Growth More Important Than Equalizing Incomes; Americans Looking For Bigger "Pies", Not Mandates.
--Syria PM, US At Odds As Peace Talks Begin; Syria Says No Chance Assad Will Step Down.
--Iran Pre Rouhani Says Country Complying And Ready To Do Business With Rest Of World.
--Mickey D's Says It Is Seeing Fewer Customers, Declining Sales.
--Twitter Suspends Account Of Hamas; Hamas Cries Foul, Censorship.
--New Poll: Prez "0" Nice Guy, So-So President.
--ACA Signing Up More Unemployed; Gallop Poll Sees Little Change In Progress For 18-34 Signees.
--US Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board Urges US To End Phone, Data Spying.

You Can Sell Americans Anything, Department:
I'm hearing that seats are sold out at inflated prices for an outdoor Hockey game in 80 degrees Los Angeles and for the Football Championship in below freezing New Jersey. You can promote just about anything including Presidents, and people will buy it regardless of logic. As long as it looks good on TV.

I've been told that writers are at their best when they are creating stories based on their own experiences. So, I'm wondering about all of these stories and plays and movies about dysfunctional families that seem dominant these days.

I noticed this morning that an actor named Gil Gerard was turning 71. Gil, Who?, you say. Back in my Advertising Agency days around 1971-2 I had this important account  and we were looking for a spokesman for a series of commercials. At the cattlecall, about 70 or 80 actors showed, and this guy Gerard stood out for his easy going manner and sense of reality and integrity. The Arkansas boy became a pretty good spokesman, his believable demeanor connecting with the staid Yankees. After a while he told me that because of his TV exposure time in Conn/NY Metro area, he started being seen and getting a few roles in movies, the first big one Man on a Swing.. So, I looked him up this morning, and found low and behold that he was in a movie as late as last year -- Star Trek: New Voyage -- 40 years of "B" movies for showing up one day to a call for spokesperson. Too many great talents, far better than Gerard, never make it past waitress/waiter. For each big money star we see, there are probably a 100 very talented people who never got that one break. Actually, probably only I care about this Tid.

Pundits are wondering why Toronto Mayor Ford approval ratings are up. All they have to do is look at themselves and see the hours upon hours they have spent displaying the antics of this lout. Canadians, like Americans will buy anything, as long as it is on TV!

I am not minimizing in the slightest the horrendous crime of rape at all when I question why the Federal Government is inserting itself into local problems as it did yesterday with remarks about a College Rape epidemic. I always question the over reach of the Feds. Campus rape is an almost out-of-control attack on women, often accosted during drunken brawls. Maybe the movie "Animal House" wasn't such a great idea after all. The stats say 1 of five college women are raped and only 1 of 8 reported. They also go on to say that 7% of college men admitted to rape, and that 63% of those are serial rapists (averaging six) done under the illusion of good ole frat fun. Somebody in America has to rewrite the storyline. This cannot be ignored just as college kids being college kids.

If you're wondering why it is so hard for people to get along these days, all you have to do is look at the comments following the Richard Sherman display after the Seattle/SF game: Half of the people thought it was scary or crude and the other half thought it was Adrenalin fueled good old fashioned enthusiasm. Of course the real problem is that it gets far too much exposure on content starved cable TV.

I wasn't too impressed with Bill Belichick's rant against Welker. It smacked more of poor loser than football coaching genius. In case you are interested, the NFL reported that the Welker hit was completely legal and that there will be no fines.

The Conscience: Chapter 35 continues.
       "After a day or so the boys finally saw a healthier Sally reviving, but a Sally who had no memory of anything past. Simultaneously Joey, had been talking to his connections in South America and the Islands. It turned out that a good friend of his, as far as it is possible to have friends in the drug trade, agreed to take Sally off his hands. After picking up a delivery in Mobile harbor, he handed her off, telling her that she was going back home. She smiled back a blank stare and that was the last time I saw her about for 25 years.
      It seems she thrived in that culture, and not only became the girl friend of Joey's pal but a significant player in his operations. She became very involved in transporting the products, and along the way she met Earnesto, the owner of Biglietto as you know, during a meeting to purchase high speed motor boats. They both had black hearts which they mutually admired; they soon married. The new blushing bride flattered and cajoled old Antonio to the point where she became a favorite of his, and his most trustworthy executive. Little did he know about what she was really doing to produce the profits."
    "And those two produced the lovey Angelica?" I flushed when I turned to see Evvy sitting there, glaring. The honeymoon was over. "I only meant it's hard to see how she is the offspring of Earnesto and Sanna." Evvy stared at me, unflinching, for a few seconds that seemed longer.  
     "I'll have to meet this Angelica," commented Evvy in a commanding tone. James looked at the twosome and waited a minute for the truce. He smiled at the pair and continued.
    "Coincidentally, I had vast interests in ship building at all levels, one of them being high quality yachts. We did a lot of business with Bigiletto and my man Washington eventually became a fixture there."
     "So, when did you learn that Sanna was indeed Sally?"

The Answer: (Note: Not to the Question posed above by Jeffery. That's for tomorrow.)
First we have cable TV where young people in particular are using Netflix and Hulu to get what they want at far less money. The future may be bare min Network purchasing and finding what you need elsewhere. 2. Land line services. 3. GPS devices 4. DVD, Blueray devices giving way to streaming. 5. Hotel rooms for long stays -- See "Rentals by Owner" 6. 2-Year Cell Phone contracts 7. Desk Top and Laptop computers. 8. Extra Legroom in Economy class flying -- Check out Biz class instead! 9. Credit Cards with Miles or Points (Card Companies de-valuating them) 10. Digital cameras for every day photos. Phones are upgrading, especially the new Windows Smartphone.

A warm heart is never cold.

Enjoy the crystalline skies, and the bite in the air.